An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
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 ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
