A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
