An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
