A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
