A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
