A person who laced treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
