A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
