A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
