A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
