A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
