A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
