A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
