A person who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said 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 July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
