An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
