An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
