An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to play the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
