A person who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
