A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
