An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
