A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
