A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
