A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
