A person who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
