A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
