A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
