A person who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
