An individual who laced candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
