An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
