A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
