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A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.

The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.

'Treat game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.

She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.

The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".

She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.

She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.

"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.

She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.

She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.