A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"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 events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
