A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
