A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
