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An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.

However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.

She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.

The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.

"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.

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

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.

The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.

She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.