An individual who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
