An individual who laced candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
