A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
