A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
