An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
