An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
