A person who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
