A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the police a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
