A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
