A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
