An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
