A person who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next 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.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
