A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
