A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man continued to play the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
