A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
