An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
