A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
