A person who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
