A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
