A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
