An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
