A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
