A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
