A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
