A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
