A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
