An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
