A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
