An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
