A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
