A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
