A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
