A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
