A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
