A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
