A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
