An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
