A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
