An individual who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
