A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
