An individual who laced candy with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
