An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
