An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
