An individual who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
