A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
