An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
