A person who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the police once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
