An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
