A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
