An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors 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 "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
