An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
