An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
