A man who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
