A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
