An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
