A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
