A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
