A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
