A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
