A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
