A person who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.