An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present 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 child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
