A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
