An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
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.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
