A man who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
