A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
