An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep 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 youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
