An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
