A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
