A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
