A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
