An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
