An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
