A person who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
