An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
