A person who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
