An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
