A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
