A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
