A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
