A man who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
