A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
