A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
