An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
