A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
