An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
