A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
