An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
