A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
