A person who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
