A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
