A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
