A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
