A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
