A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
