An individual who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
