A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
