An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
