A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
