A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
