A person who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
