A man who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
