A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
