A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
