A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
