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A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.

She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.

Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.

"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.

She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.

The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.

She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.