A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
