A person who laced treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
