A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
