A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
