A man who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
