A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
