A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
