A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
