A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
