A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
