A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
