A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
