A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
