A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
