A person who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
