A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
