An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
