A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
