A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
