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A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in July.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.

The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.

She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.

The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.

She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.

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

Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She said the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.

Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police once more.

She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.