An individual who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
