A person who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
