A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
