A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
