An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
