A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
