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A man who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.

She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.

The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.

The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.

"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.

She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.

The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.

She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.