A person who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
