A person who laced treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
