An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior 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 stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
