A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben 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 "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
