A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges 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 remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
