An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
