A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
