A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
