A person who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
