A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, 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 told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
