An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the police again.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
