A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
