A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
