An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
