A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied 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'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
