A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
