A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
