A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
