An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
