A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
