A person who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
