An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
