A person who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
