A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
