A person who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
