An individual who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
