A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
