An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained 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 summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
