A man who laced candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
