A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
