A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the police again.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
