An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
