A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
