An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
