A person who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
