A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
