A person who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
