A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
