An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
