A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
