An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
