A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
