A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
