An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
