An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
