A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
