A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
