A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
