A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained 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 summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
