A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
