A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
