A person who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms 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 conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
