A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
