A person who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
