A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
