A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
