An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
