A person who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
