A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children 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 elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police again.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
