A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
