An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
