A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
