An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
