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A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.

Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

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

Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.

The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.

"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.

She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.

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