An individual who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
