An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
