An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
