A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the police again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
