An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
