A person who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
