An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
