A person who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
