A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
