An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
