A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
