An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
