A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
