A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
