A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
