A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
