A person who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
