A man who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
