An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat 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 stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
