An individual who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat 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 eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
