A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
