A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
