A man who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
