An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
