An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
