A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
