A man who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
