A person who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
