An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
