A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
