A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
