An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
