A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
