A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
