A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
