A person who laced candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
