A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
