A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
