A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
