An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
