A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
