A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
