A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
