An individual who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
