A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, 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 informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
