An individual who laced treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts 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 facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
