An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
