A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
