A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
