A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
