A person who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
