An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
