A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
