An individual who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
