A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
