An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
