A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
