An individual who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
