An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
