A man who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
