A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
