An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
