A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
