An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
