An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
