A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
