An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
