A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
