A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
