A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
