An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
