A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
