A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
