A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
