An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
