A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
