A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
