A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
