A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
