An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
