A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
