A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
