A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
