An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
