A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
