An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the police again.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
