A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
