An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
