An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
