A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty 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 involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
