A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
