A person who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
