A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
