An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
