An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
