A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
