An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
