A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
