A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
