A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
