A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
