An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
