A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
