An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
