A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
