An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
