A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
