An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
