An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
