A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
