A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
