A man who laced candy with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to play the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
