An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
