An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the police a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
