A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
