A man who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
