An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
