An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She said the man continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
