A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
