A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
