A man who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
