A man who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
