An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
