An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
