A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
