An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
