A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
