An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities again.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
