A man who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
