An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
