A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
