An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
