A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
