An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
