A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
