A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
