An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
