A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
