A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
