An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
