An individual who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
