A man who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
