A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up 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.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to play the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
