A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
