A man who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
