An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
