A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police again.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
