A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
