A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
