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An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.

The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.

'Candy game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.

She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.

Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.

She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.

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

The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.

She explained the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.

The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the police a second time.

She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.