An individual who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
