A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
