An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
