A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
