A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
