A person who laced treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
