A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
