An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
