A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
