A person who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
