An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
