An individual who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
