A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
