An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
