An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
