An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
