An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
