An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
