A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the police again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
