A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
