A man who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
