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A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in July.

The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.

Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.

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

Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.

She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.

The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.

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

The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.

She explained the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.

Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.

She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.