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An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.

Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.

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

The prosecutor said items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.

She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

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

The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.

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

She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.