An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
