A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
