An individual who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to play the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
