A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
