An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
