A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
