A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
