A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the police once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
