A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
