A person who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
