An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
