A person who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
