A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
