A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police again.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
