An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
