A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
