An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
