An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
