A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
