An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police again.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
