A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
