An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded 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.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
