An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
