A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
