A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
