An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
