A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the police again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
