A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
