A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
