A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
