An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
