A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
