An individual who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
