A man who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
