A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
