A person who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
