A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
