A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
