An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
