A person who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
