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An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.

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

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

However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.

Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.

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

She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.

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

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.

She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.