An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "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 minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
