A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
