A person who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
