A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
