A man who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
