A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
