A man who laced treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
