A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
