A person who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
