An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police again.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
