🔗 Share this article

An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.

The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.

However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.

The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.

Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, 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 Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.

She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."

Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.

She explained the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.

The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.

She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.