A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
