A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
