An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
