A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
