A person who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
