A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
