A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.