An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
