An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
