A person who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the police again.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
