A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
