An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
