A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
