An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
