A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
