A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
