A man who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
