A man who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
