An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.