A man who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
