A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She said the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
