A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
