A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them 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 youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to play 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 point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
