A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
