An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
