A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
