A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
