An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
