A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
