A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
