An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
