A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
