An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
