An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
