A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
