A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly 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 what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
