An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
