An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
