A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
