A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
