A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
