A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
