A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
