A person who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
