An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
