An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
