A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
