A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
