A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.