A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
