A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
