A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
