A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
