An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms 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 boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
