A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
