An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
